Chemical Storage of Hydrogen within Crystalline Metal-Organic Solids
- Detailed Technology Description
- Prof. MacGillivray has developed a solution to circumvent the issues of high pressure, high density, and surface incompatibilities encountered by previous hydrogen storage methods. This method uses a crystalline metal-organic solid as a reactive, low-density storage material for hydrogen. This material includes transition-metal-ions assembled with organic ligands that bridge the metals together into porous structures with very low densities. Given hydrogen’s ability to react with both transition-metal-ions and organic groups, the pores of metal organic frameworks are capable of storing and releasing hydrogen gas. The crystalline solid possesses internal pores of size and shape suitable for effectively entrapping and reacting reversibly with hydrogen. Such a reaction can facilitate the storage and release of hydrogen through dissociation and re-association of the atoms of the molecule.
- *Abstract
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Background Information
There is a growing interest inchemical systems that store and release hydrogen. Hydrogen gas has the largest energy content ofany fuel, rendering it superior at holding and distributing energy. Only a small amount of hydrogen is necessaryto store significant amounts of energy, and its stable composition means it iscapable of storing energy longer than any other source. Underground hydrogen storage is useful toprovide grid energy storage for a number of energy sources, as well asgenerating fuel for transportation. Althoughthere are two existing chemical approaches to store hydrogen, each has sufferedsignificant drawbacks. The structures ofcurrent storage systems are either ill defined, or possess hydrophilic surfacesthat do not interact favorably with hydrogen. Furthermore, high pressures and high densitiesof metal hydrides are also typically required to facilitate the adsorptionprocess. Therefore, a more efficient andeffective method of hydrogen storage is necessary.
Technology Summary
Prof. MacGillivray has developed asolution to circumvent the issues of high pressure, high density, and surfaceincompatibilities encountered by previous hydrogen storage methods. This method uses a crystalline metal-organic solidas a reactive, low-density storage material for hydrogen. Thismaterial includes transition-metal-ions assembled with organic ligands thatbridge the metals together into porous structures with very low densities. Given hydrogen’s ability to react with bothtransition-metal-ions and organic groups, the pores of metal organic frameworksare capable of storing and releasing hydrogen gas. The crystalline solid possesses internal poresof size and shape suitable for effectively entrapping and reacting reversiblywith hydrogen. Such a reaction canfacilitate the storage and release of hydrogen through dissociation andre-association of the atoms of the molecule.
Advantages
· Storesand releases hydrogen without requiring high pressures or densities
· Facilitatesentrapment and release of hydrogen via internal pores of suitable shape andsize
- *Licensing
- Mihaela Bojin, PhD, CLPSenior Licensing AssociateUniversity of Iowa Research Foundation2660 UCCIowa City, Iowa 52242Phone: (319) 335-2723Email: mihaela-bojin@uiowa.edu
- Country/Region
- USA
